Door body



Oct. 18, 1955 O. c. ECKEL 2,720,920

nooR BODY Filed sept. 27, 1952 5y/MM5.

Mft/N27 United States Patent O DOOR BODY Oliver C. Eckel, Boxborough, Mass.

Application September 27, 1952, Serial No. 311,917

6 Claims. (Cl. 160-354) This invention relates to a door body.

One object of my invention is to provide a door body of a construction that is firm, yet is suiiciently compliant when struck vigorously to absorb most of the shock, and thus avoid damaging the door or its hinges.

Another object is to provide such a door body that is simple in construction, economical to manufacture and durable.

The foregoing and other objects which will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, may be accomplished by a construction, and arrangement such as is disclosed by the drawings. The nature of the invention is such as to render it susceptible to various changes and modications, and therefore, I am not to be limited to the construction disclosed by the drawings nor to the particular parts described in the specification; but am entitled to all such changes therefrom as fall within the scope of my claims.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of my door body.

Figure 2 is a front elevational view thereof.

Figure 3 is an enlarged, sectional view taken on the line 3 3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is an enlarged, sectional View taken on the line 4 4 of Figure 2.

As illustrated, my door body has an outside cover 10, there being one each at the opposite face surfaces of the' body commonly referred to as the front and rear. It is made of material, such as sheet plastic, yet suiciently compliant that it is not damaged when struck vigorously, as by a moving truck, or merchandise carrier of the type used in stores and warehouses.

Spaced inwardly from opposite outer side edges of said outside covers 10, and located at opposite sides of said door body, and attached to said covers, as by cement, are perimeter members shown in the form of channel members 12. They are made of a compliant material such as rubber or a rubber composition, the web or connecting portions of said channel members 12 being at the outside in each instance, as shown in said Figure 4. Since said outside covers extend at their outer sides beyond said side channel members 12, they have side extensions 10a. Those extensions 10a at one side, which are to be fastened to a door jamb or frame, may have, as shown, a filler 16 of strong material, such as wood, occupying the space between them.

At the top and bottom of said door body are perimeter members between said covers 10, which, as shown, are in the form of channel members 18 and 19 respectively, each of which is attached at its sides to said face covers 10, and extends across said door body to said side channel members 12 to which they are attached, as by cement. Said upper member 18, lower member 19 and side members 12 provide a sealed perimeter that, together with said covers 10, enclose a space 20 forming the interior of said body, and which is naturally occupied by air, unless it contains a iller.

In order to equalize the pressure of air in said space 2,720,920 Patented Oct. 18, 1955 ICC 20 with the atmosphere surrounding the door, and thus prevent any breathing movement where conditions make it desirable, I provide a vent member 22 attached to said upper channel member 18, and having a removable closure cap 24.

In the said space 20, to assist in making said door body firm, I provide one or more separators 26 preferably made of rubber or a rubber composition. These extend across said door body between, and are attached to, said plastic covers 10. They absorb some of the shock when the door body is struck, as by a truck, as well as serving to keep said body rigid. 'I'he front and rear flanges 27 of said separators 26, as shown, are considerably wider than the connecting or web portion 28; but they could be made the same width.

Said interior space 20 may be filled with a cushioning material such as fibrous glass to absorb said shock and to assist in providing a firm door body.

What I claim is:

l. A door body comprising two sheets of compliant material at the front and rear of said door body spaced apart, channel members of flexible and resilient material between said two sheets at perimeter portions of the top, bottom and two sides of said door body, and a separator member of exible and resilient material extending crosswise of said door body from and laterally between the two channel member sides and intermediate of and spaced from the top and bottom of said door body and extending between and attached to said sheets.

2. A door body comprising two sheets of compliant material at the front and rear of said door body spaced apart, channel members of ilexible and resilient material between said two sheets at perimeter portions at the top, bottom and two sides of said door body, and a separator member of flexible and resilient material extending crosswise of said door body intermediate of and spaced from the top and bottom of said door body and extending between and attached to said sheets, said separator member embodying front and rear ange portions attached to said sheets and a web portion of substantially less width than and between said ange portions.

3. A door body comprising two sheets of compliant material at the front .and rear of said door body spaced apart, channel members of exible and resilient material between said two sheets at perimeter portions of the top, bottom and two sides of said door body enclosing the space between said sheets, a separator member of ilexible and resilient material extending crosswise of said door body within said enclosure and intermediate of and spaced from the top and bottom of said door body and extending between and attached to said sheets, a vent member in said channel member having an opening therein, and a removable closure member adapted to close said vent member.

4. A door body comprising two sheets of compliant material at the front and rear of said door body spaced apart, channel-shaped perimeter members of exible and resilient material at the top, bottom and two sides between said sheets, and a separator member of flexible and resilient material extending crosswise of and spaced from the top and bottom of said door body and attached to said sheets, said sheets extending beyond said perimeter members at both sides of said door body.

5. A door body comprising two sheets of compliant material at the front and rear of said body spaced apart, and a plurality of separator members of flexible and resilient material spaced apart and embodying front and rear ange portions attached to said sheets and a web portion between and connecting said ange portions at an intermediate point thereof, said separator members extending continuously laterally of said door body.

6. A door body comprising two sheets of compliant material at the front and rear of said body spaced apart, and a plurality of separator members of flexible -and resilient material spaced apart and embodying front and rear flange portionsv attahed directly to said sheets and aweb portion -integra Withfand between andv Connecting said Hariger portions,V saidI vseparator members extending continuously in a `lateral''direet'on croslsyvise of slaidrbod'ynV References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Zahner Mar. 31, 1914 Dudley July 25, 1933 Marsh July 23, 1935 Johnson May 30, 1939 Kann Apr. 14, 1942 Firner June 5, 1945 Een May 7, 1946 Mller Y V Sept. 20, 1949 

